In late June, two YMCA camps in Georgia closed down after a counselor tested positive for coronavirus at one of the locations. Since the shutdown, the number of positive cases associated with the cluster has begun to climb from 30 known cases to 85.
The High Harbour Camp locations at Lake Burton and Lake Allatoona were shut down early, but positive tests continued to roll in, despite the camps adhering to safety guidelines mandated by the state and laid out by leading health experts.
At least 85 children and counselors have tested positive, according to Georgia health officials. The outbreak stems from the Lake Burton camp location. This represents 18% of the 362 campers and 118 staff members, with ages ranging from 7-22, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
“A great deal of thought and planning went into the decision to hold Camp High Harbour,” President and CEO of the YMCA of Metro Atlanta, Lauren Koontz, said in a statement. “ In preparing for camp, we collaborated with the Centers for Disease Control and the American Camp Association and followed the safety guidelines and protocols of the Executive Order from the State of Georgia.”
So far, no positive cases have been reported from the Lake Allatoona location.
